An Assist from Sprite and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Helps Pratt Park Basketball Courts Get Back in the Game; vote by submitting codes online

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites local residents to help a well-used neighborhood basketball court in Seattle transform into a refreshed play space where teens can express all their moves.

This spring, through the Sprite Spark Parks Project, Sprite and the NRPA are giving people an opportunity to get their local courts back in the game. The basketball courts in Seattle have been selected as one of 25 sites nationwide to be refreshed through the program, and local residents can show their support and raise funds by voting at www.SpriteSparkParks.com.

With the help of the NRPA, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts, Sprite identified Pratt Park as one of 25 parks to receive a grant to revamp basketball courts. Each of the selected courts, located in public parks throughout the nation, will receive funding based on the number of votes they earn through May 31.

Visitors can vote for Pratt Park by submitting the My Coke Rewards codes found on Sprite and Sprite Zero Fridge Pack™, 20-pack, 24-pack, 20 oz. and 2-liter products. Sprite will donate $275,000 to be distributed among the 25 parks in grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The funds will be used to refurbish rims, backboards, lights, benches and playing surfaces – sparking new life to these courts.

“The mission of the Sprite Spark Parks Project is to refresh neighborhood basketball courts so teens can be healthy and active, and this year, we’re getting 25 courts back in the game by funding grants,” said Michael Matthews of Coca-Cola North America. “We’re excited to give people an opportunity to earn grants for their local parks and recreation agency to restore the courts where they love to play.”

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“Parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities across the country are the best places for kids and teens to go to be physically active, improve their health and wellness and have fun,” said Barbara Tulipane president and CEO of NRPA. “We are proud to work with Sprite on this restorative effort because we must preserve and maintain these public spaces so that all can take advantage of the healthy benefits they have to offer for years to come.”

Located in the Central Area at 1800 S Main St., Pratt Park was named after Edwin T. Pratt in 1976. Pratt was a community leader and a founder of the Central Area Motivation Program and the Seattle Opportunities Industrialization Center. His namesake park features an exciting play area, a large grassy area with picnic tables and barbecue stands, shady trees, lots of room to run around in an open field, and a popular basketball court pavilion. A Sprite Spark Parks grant will help with the costs of repairing and relining the court surface, replacing missing nets, removing graffiti, and bringing a new spark to the courts.

Parks is asking for the public’s support to help secure the maximum possible grant. Your help can make a big difference. Community members can also use and distribute this special voting code to place an extra vote for Pratt Park Basketball Courts: SPRITEPARKSEA. This code can be used once a day per person.

Supporters can cast votes at http://www.SpriteSparkParks.com by May 31. Making Pratt Park an even better place to play for local youth would be a great win for our community.